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Latest Highlights:

30 June: A Greenshank at Carsington Water

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Welcome to the DOS website

Swift Awareness Week

Swift

Derbyshire Events in UK Swift Awareness Week (28 June to 6 July)

Local swift groups have arranged seven free evening swift-watching walks in Chapel en le Frith, Bradwell, Duffield, Melbourne, Rowsley, Youlgrave and Whaley Bridge during the week. For further details please see the national list: here or email the county organiser, Nick Brown at nickbrownwild@outlook.com

Swift Surveyors Wanted in Derbyshire Dales

Claire Mead, who runs the new lottery-funded Derbyshire Dales Swift Project, is looking for volunteers willing to give up a few hours from now until the end of July to survey for swifts in Bradwell, Tideswell, Youlgreave, Cressbrook, Rowsley, Bakewell, Wirksworth, Darley Dale, Matlock or Ashbourne. To find out more or to offer to help please email Claire at cmead@derbyshireswiftconservation.co.uk

Looking for ways to help the DOS?

Help

We have several opportunities you may be perfect for.

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The Derbyshire Bird Report 2023

DBR 2023 Cover

The latest Derbyshire Bird Report published November 2024 and containing 224 pages in full colour. Complete Systematic List for the 207 species recorded in Derbyshire in 2023, including the county's first Pacific Golden Plover and much more


Click here to order

For previous years click here

Derbyshire Peregrines

Derby Cathedral Peregrine Watch

Catch up on all the Peregrine news at Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project here

For streaming live video and sound click here

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Bird Flu

Suspected outbreaks of this very serious disease affecting wild and captive birds have been reported in Derbyshire

What to do if you find dead birds:

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:

  • one or more dead bird of prey or owl
  • 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
  • 5 or more dead birds of any species

For the latest DEFRA guidance see here

Think before you click

During the breeding season, please be sensible and responsible when using social media to report sightings for sensitve breeding species - see here for more details. The Rare Breeding Birds Panel issued revised guidance see here. Advice on finding rarities from our Recorders is available here. Remember: the birds must come first.


Wildlife Crime

If you witness or suspect wildlife crime then please contact the police (ask for a Wildlife Crime Officer) or RSPB. Your information will be dealt with in confidence but if, for any reason, you are reluctant to take either of those routes then please at least pass the information to Crimestoppers by ringing 0800 555111


Site Restrictions

Several of the sites in the county have some restrictions on access:

  • Aston-on-Trent GP: This is a private working gravel pit with permit only access during working hours. The site cannot be seen from the A50 pull-in because of the height of trees/bushes. No access should be attempted AT ANY TIME, however, occasional visits organised by the DWT and DWT/DOS - places limited, see Meetings and Trips page
  • Barrow GP: This is a private site and can only be viewed from the south of the river on the Anchor Church side
  • Drakelow NR: a DWT site with restricted access to members
  • Foremark Reservoir: No access at any time to the area along the dam wall or the west side of the reservoir
  • High Bridge GP: Access from the A38 and take extreme care when crossing the hump-backed bridge. This is a dangerous working gravel pit and heavy lorries use the site during working hours so best visited in the evening or weekend but be aware work can occur at any time and parking is difficult during the working week. There should be no attempt to gain access during the working day. The pits should only be viewed from the lane
  • Willington GP: Please stay on the main tracks, do not use the gravel company roads. Currently the Canal Pit (north-west side of the railway line) is very difficult to view from the Canal Bank or from the Canal Bridge due to tall vegetation. Signs now on this pit which say "No Access to Birdwatchers"

Safety first! Respect landowner's privacy. "The interests of the bird comes first". Follow the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct


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